Architects from across the world unanimously adopted the 2050 Imperative, which commits them to 100 percent net-zero energy design and construction by that year.

Members of the International Union of Architects signed the document at last week’s annual World Congress. Member organizations represent over 1.3 million architects in 124 countries. This is the first time in the organization’s 65-year history that Architect Councils from every region of the world have signed a declaration.

Initiated and drafted by Architecture 2030, it flowed through the American Institute of Architects and then to the International World Congress.

The 2050 Imperative says, “Recognizing the architects’ central role in planning and designing the built environment, and the need to reduce carbon emissions to zero by 2050 and provide equal access to shelter, we commit to promote the following actions.”